Sermon by Carol Langlotz

Photo Credit: Moh Tj on Flickr.com

No audio version today, but the text version follows:

Homily for Dec. 8, 2013 for ST. Luke's Church (based on readings from Isa.11:1-10; Rom. 15:4-13; Matt. 3:1-12 (Ps. 72:1-8
Once again in this Advent season we hear the words of the prophet Isaiah calling down through the ages: " A shoot shall come out of the stump of Jesse, and the spirit of the Lord shall rest on him." Yes a great prophecy made some 1500 years before the culmination of it would take place Then we also hear the proclamation from John the Baptist saying, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven draws near." This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah has spoken. As we approach the wonderful feast of Christmas, world peace which is part of our Christmas prayer may only seem like a dream. Even in today's Gospel reading, we heard John the Baptist announcing the coming Messiah, and he spoke of the destruction and fire which would come. Yes, John was trying to prepare his listeners by reminding them that we are known by our lives and actions; for he calls people to reflect on their lives. We need to make changes in our lives; yes to prepare our hearts in order to welcome the Messiah. John says, "Welcome, one another, just as Christ has welcomed you."
Now, most likely John was a cousin to Jesus, as his mother was Elizabeth, whom Mary visited when she found she was pregnant. His father was Zechariah, a priest in the Temple. John was a popular guy, with the crowds, in spite of his stern messages, and that was because he gave them good news. Our readings indicate that while John had been in the wilderness preaching, he called people to repent of their sins. He did say some important things to the people, yes strong things they needed to hear; but he also gave them some good news, and that was hope. They could repent of their sinful ways, and turn their lives around before it was too late. This was a hopeful message.
Assuredly, some thought that John might be the promised Messiah himself; but he made it clear that there would be one who would be more powerful than he, who would come. Although John was a prophet; he wasn't the promised Messiah. Jesus himself asked John to baptize him with water.
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So it would be fulfilled , as we read in Matthew's Gospel vs. 13 -"Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him."
This practise probably sprang from the members of the Qumran community, who were a group of ascetics in Jesus' day who practiced a ritual of washing, which was repeated periodically as a symbolic cleansing from recent sin. In our time, the Qumran Community became known, of course because of its' association with the Dead Sea Scrolls which were found in an area some 20 miles from Jerusalem. It's thought this was probably the area where John lived. John's baptism seemingly was a one time procedure, whereas the Qumran Community's was every time someone sinned. Those who responded to John's preaching and repented were baptised, with water. They then joined a faithful remnant of people who believed there would be a swift end of fiery judgement for the world . We remember John's words, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord." This was a call to people to prepare themselves morally and spiritually, before the judgement day.
Now, much of the end-time speculation and writings of this time focused on a coming new order which God would initiate, where the righteous people would participate in the kingdom of God. William Barclay writes in an interpretation of the Book of Matthew that what was striking about this was that John's baptism was for sinners, yet no Jew ever conceived of himself as a sinner, shut out from God. Now some scholars are still puzzled about the purpose of Jesus' baptism by John for why would a sinless Jesus be baptized? We to are left to puzzle the answer for this, ourselves. Never-the-less Jesus submits to baptism because he is a certain kind of Messiah. He is a Messiah in deeds and actions, not just in word. And isn't this just what he has called us to be? Not just a nominal believer and follower but to show our love and faith in God by our deeds, actions and words. No we can't just be a Sunday Christian, we too must show our love for God in our actions and deeds..
Interestingly, I believe that some theologians surmise that Jesus' submission to baptism foreshadows his acceptance of the cross. Here is the Messiah who does more than express sympathy for our painful sinful human condition.
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Yes, he enters into it. He knows the way will not be easy but he fully identifies with the consequences and remedies. We could say Jesus himself becomes our premier model for righteousness which combines faith with actions.
Now, interwoven throughout our readings today is the call to prophetic witness. So although it might be easy for us to focus on John's message of God's kingdom; the call for us is to be witnesses to the peaceable kingdom of God.
At this introspective season of Advent, we too long to have Jesus come into our lives, to cleanse us of our sins and strengthen us to grow in grace, as we are each called to reach out to the poor, care for the afflicted, to welcome strangers into our lives and homes, and to live companionably with one another. We do this because we are all part of the human race, yes we are God's children. Yes the good news of Christ is needed today as well.
In Paul's writings to the church in Rome; he taught them to embrace a new way of life. He also encourages us in our generation to reach out to others. Some ways or concrete suggestions are that we could perhaps share a meal with someone, or visit those who are forgotten, the poor , the sick, the elderly and the lonely. This isn't so difficult as it might seem. We simply need to move beyond the thousands of excuses we make for ourselves and to simply act. You see, by embracing others and welcoming others we show the love of God which he has first sown us.
Then again, our reading from Romans tells us to live in harmony with one another. This is certainly a good message which we need to hear in the season of Advent as we rush through the days preparing for Christmas. We want everything to be perfect and in harmony, especially as we welcome our family and friends, home at this holiday time. At times we try too hard, and become just worn out and too exhausted from our preparations to enjoy this very special time, and so I caution you, as I do myself to make time for reflection. Take time to think and reflect on the readings and teachings of this time, so Christmas will indeed be blessed event in our lives. Attend the services with the beautiful liturgy, and sing the Carols heartily. Indeed let their words sink into your hearts and move your
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spirits. Take time to contemplate the biblical readings. What did they say to the people of the time when they were written? What do they say to you today? You could also attend the Advent Bible Study, which has begun, but it's not too late to do this. All of these things
Some may find this a lonely time of year, because of certain circumstances in their lives, when others are joining in happy celebrations. It's not always easy for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, or the loss of a job, or have serious illness in their lives, or a marriage break-up. It can be bearable, it is easier, it can be joyful when we remember that God is waiting to be fully immersed in our lives. We just need to open our hearts and truly let God immerse himself in our mortal being.
In the Book of Revelation (21:3) it is written," See the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them. Yes there are times in our lives, when we do feel lost or alone; we feel that God is far from us, and we are far from Him. We long to be close to God again, to perhaps re-establish the relationship which we once had with him. Perhaps we like homeless children who long to come home to God.
St. Augustine said just this when he prayed, "Thou hast made us for thyself and our souls are restless until they find their rest in Thee." During Advent the Gospel invites us to find our way home to God; to follow the pathway that leads to the manger of Bethlehem; to make our way to the place where God was homeless and all of us our at home.
A noted British author and poet, G.K. Chesterton captured the sense of this universal longing in his classic poem, "The House of Christmas." Here is just a little portion of the poem he wrote, To an open house in the evening, home shall all people come.
To an older place than Eden; and a taller town than Rome; to the end of the way of the wandering star.
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To the things that cannot be and that are; to the place where God was homeless; and all people are at home . (from modern British Poetry p,.210-211)
This Christmas- come home to God, he is waiting for you. Amen
The German theologian Jurgen Moltmann described the process of God's coming into the world as a process of discovery and so I'll share his writing with you:
"The coming One is in the process of his coming and can be grasped only in that light: as on the road walking with us.....the way of Christ comes into being under the feet of the person who walks it. To tread the way of Christ means believing in Him. Believing in Him means going with Him along the part of the road he is taking at the present moment."
I leave you with the question this morning, "Would you care to join us in this journey at this Advent season?"
Let us pray: We thank you Lord for sending your Son Jesus Christ into the world to remind us of who we are and who you have called us to be. In Jesus name Amen.